Laura Williams: Writing for the Real World

Dec 19, 2024

Laura Williams, a ghostwriter and managing editor at the American Institute for Economic Research, dives into the crucial discussion on writing's role in today's AI-driven world. She highlights writing as a tool for self-discovery and credibility, while addressing the alarming decline in writing standards in American education. Williams critiques reliance on AI in writing, emphasizes the need for more engaging assignments, and offers strategies for parents to nurture a love for writing in children, advocating for clarity and creativity over rigid formats.

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Intro

00:00 • 4min

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AI and the Future of Literary Engagement

03:48 • 10min

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The Impact of AI on Student Writing

13:49 • 10min

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The Mechanics of Performative Writing and Rhetorical Reasoning

23:31 • 6min

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The Dynamics of the Five-Paragraph Essay in Education

29:03 • 3min

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Redefining Academic Writing

31:59 • 22min

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Reimagining Writing Education

54:07 • 25min

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Laura Williams is a ghostwriter, editor, and the current managing editor at the American Institute for Economic Research.

In this episode, we explore the many cases for teaching writing in today's social media and AI-driven world: as a form of self-discovery, a way of building credibility, a tool for developing and refining thoughts, and a means of joining the historical conversation around ideas. We also address the declining writing standards in American education and discuss how parents can nurture a love of writing for their children

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

4:26 - Cheating with AI

8:22 - Cultivating a "Good" Assignment for Students?

14:40 - What is Being Lost When Using AI to Replace Writing?

17:31 - Teaching for the Real World

21:59 - What is "Good" Writing

28:38 - The Five Paragraph Essay

32:04 - Moving Beyond Academic Overtone in Writing

36:30 - The Paramedic Method of Editing

38:18 - The Case for Writing

47:22 - Using Writing to Grapple with Other People's Thinking